By Indigo James, Senior Correspondent
CASSADAGA, N.Y. — June 9, 2025 — Residents of Cassadaga gathered en masse on Sunday at the Stockton Volunteer Fire Department to protest the proposed shutdown of the Cassadaga Job Corps Center. Organized by a new grassroots group, the Cassadaga Guardians of the Hill, the rally was a passionate display of local support aimed at preserving one of the region’s most vital education and training facilities.
Dozens of current and former students, staff, union members, and community allies stood together, urging the federal government to reconsider a controversial plan to shutter Job Corps centers across the United States. The rally came in response to a broader federal initiative, announced earlier this year, which includes the permanent closure of all remaining Job Corps programs.
Community Backbone Under Threat
The Cassadaga Job Corps Center has served the region for over 50 years, offering free education and vocational training to low-income young adults, many of whom have limited alternatives. The center provides essential workforce readiness programs, including certifications in healthcare, construction, culinary arts, and information technology.
“This center has been a beacon of hope for generations,” said Mary Fulton, a retired instructor who spent over 25 years working at Cassadaga Job Corps. “It’s not just about job training—this place helps shape responsible, capable adults.”
Local business leaders have also voiced concerns about the center’s potential closure, noting that many Job Corps graduates go on to fill important roles in the regional workforce.
“Several of my best employees came directly from Cassadaga Job Corps,” said Jeremy Lewis, owner of a construction firm based in Chautauqua County. “If it closes, we lose a reliable talent pipeline.”
Voices of Impact and Gratitude
During the rally, emotional stories from students and alumni underscored the program’s life-changing impact. Seventeen-year-old Elise Hernandez, currently enrolled in the center’s medical assistant track, spoke of how the center gave her a second chance after dropping out of high school.
“Without this place, I honestly don’t know where I’d be,” Hernandez said. “Here, I’ve found structure, purpose, and a path forward.”
Alumni also took the podium to share their success stories. From entrepreneurs to tradespeople, each attributed their achievements to the foundational education they received at Cassadaga.
Political and Legal Pushback
The proposed closure is part of a sweeping cost-cutting move unveiled by the Trump administration earlier this year, which has prompted widespread criticism from educators, state officials, and job training advocates.
New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released a statement calling the plan “short-sighted and harmful,” especially to rural areas like Cassadaga where such resources are already scarce.
Adding legal fuel to the opposition, a national trade group representing Job Corps contractors filed suit against the federal government. In a pivotal legal win on June 4, U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter issued a temporary restraining order, halting the administration’s closure plan pending further review. The ruling has bought Cassadaga and other centers time—but advocates stress the fight is far from over.
A Community’s Plea for Preservation
The Cassadaga Guardians of the Hill say they are determined to keep pressure on lawmakers and federal agencies. Their efforts include outreach campaigns, petition drives, and scheduled meetings with representatives in Albany and Washington, D.C.
“The goal is to show decision-makers the real faces behind these programs,” said union organizer David Specht. “We are not statistics. We are people, and this center is our lifeline.”
As the crowd chanted slogans and held handmade signs, the message was clear: the Cassadaga Job Corps Center is more than an institution—it is a vital thread in the social and economic fabric of the region.
What’s Next?
With legal proceedings ongoing and political negotiations heating up, the future of Job Corps centers like Cassadaga remains uncertain. However, the turnout and energy displayed at Sunday’s rally offer a clear signal that the community is ready to fight for what it believes in.
In the coming weeks, additional rallies are expected in other states as local communities join the call to protect one of the nation’s last publicly funded vocational training options for underserved youth.
